Hospital monopolies drive up health care costs in Indiana, study says
Over the past two decades, Hoosiers’ health care costs have gone from below-average to much-higher-than-average, according to a Ball State University study.
Hospitals
Articles
St. Vincent faces expensive growth options
The hospital system’s 45-year-old campus will likely need hundreds of millions of dollars in upgrades in coming years to keep it competitive long term.
High-tech rival devices on verge of making stethoscopes obsolete
Dr. Paul Wallach, an executive associate dean at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, predicts that within the next decade, hand-held ultrasound devices will replace the stethoscope as part of the routine physical exam.
Vaping has grown into full-blown health crisis in Indiana, panel says
Indiana health officials are investigating 30 cases of severe lung injury linked to vaping. Eight of those have been confirmed—most of them among individuals between the ages of 16 and 29. Earlier this month, the state confirmed the first death linked to vaping.
Doctors’ pagers finally headed to gadget graveyard
Since the first pager was patented in 1949 and used in New York’s Jewish Hospital, millions of doctors have done their daily rounds in hospitals with the gadget clipped to their waistband, always ready to hear the beep that might signal a medical crisis on the other end. But hospitals are now phasing them out.
Community Health sues insurer for refusing to cover $6M in damage at east-side hospital
The dispute centers on extensive cracking in the foundation at Community Hospital East, which just underwent a massive, $175 million upgrade with a new patient tower.
Veterans’ suicide issue a priority for Trump administration, VA secretary says
Robert Wilkie, secretary of veterans affairs, told the American Legion National Convention in Indianapolis on Wednesday that the issue needs urgent attention.
IU Simon Cancer Center lands $13.8M grant, comprehensive cancer center designation
The cancer center, opened in 2008, is now one of just 51 “comprehensive cancer centers” in the nation and the only one in Indiana.
Anthem’s fight with doctors shows risks for surprise-billing fix
Doctors fighting a reimbursement battle with one of the biggest U.S. health insurers want to make sure that ending surprise medical bills doesn’t come at the expense of their pay.
IU Health executive Kitchell leaving ‘for other opportunities’
Ryan Kitchell oversees a wide variety of business operations at the state’s largest health system. His departure comes as IU Health is in the midst of numerous capital projects.
Trump executive order to push for disclosure of secret health prices
The federal regulations Trump is calling for would push forward a relatively simple idea: that patients should know how much hospitals charge for common procedures.
Hospitals look high and low for ways to cut energy use
Across Indiana and the nation, hospitals are rolling out new programs to cut energy consumption and reduce their carbon footprints. In the process, they hope to save hundreds of thousands of dollars in the form of lower utility bills.
St. Vincent adds 24-hour urgent care to its microhospitals
The Indianapolis-based health system said the move will give patients more treatment options. It has opened five tiny hospitals in the last two years, and plans to open three more later this year.
Sandy Eskenazi donates $5 million to Eskenazi Health
To recognize the contribution, Eskenazi Health is changing the name of Midtown Community Mental Health to the Sandra Eskenazi Mental Health Center.
Questions loom over proposed Carmel rehabilitation hospital
Two out-of-state companies that want to build a 60-bed hospital in Carmel have a history of mass layoffs, at least one high-profile bankruptcy, and accusations of kickbacks and billing irregularities.
Hospitals sue over new national liver transplant policy
Hospitals and patients have sued to block a new nationwide liver transplant policy that they say will waste viable livers, lead to fewer transplants and likely cause deaths.
Pharmacy owner found guilty of manufacturing over-potent drugs sold to hospitals
Paul Elmer, former owner and CEO of Pharmakon Pharmaceuticals in Noblesville, was convicted in federal court of nine counts of adulterating drugs and one count of conspiracy. He was acquitted of an additional count of obstruction of justice.
Indiana to dedicate new state psychiatric hospital
The NeuroDiagnostic Institute on Indianapolis’ east side is Indiana’s first new psychiatric hospital in more than 50 years.
Hospitals get socked for safety concerns
In Indiana, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is docking 22 hospitals for high rates of infection and patient injuries.
Partner on St. Vincent neighborhood hospitals had big ambitions but flamed out
Just 20 months ago, Tandem Hospital Partners had set up a joint venture with St. Vincent to develop a series of tiny hospitals. Today, the results are far different from what either company probably imagined.